You have just been diagnosed with hearing loss. But with so
many choices of different styles, models and manufacturers
of hearing aids, no wonder it is hard to decide.
Although your audiologist will give you advice, it is
always better to understand the different types, their
features, how they work to increase your knowledge and be
able to compare the hearing aids yourself. Because
ultimately, the choice should be yours and you will be the
one to use it.
The first thing you will need to consider is whether you
want an analogue, digital programmable/analogue
programmable or fully digital hearing aid. Analogues are
the least expensive and the microphone sends out a signal,
the signal is amplified and sent to the ear. The
digital/analogue programmable hearing aids are a
combination of an analogue hearing aid, but have the
computer software to customize and program it. This allows
the hearing aid to adapt to the environment by manually
switching to different listening programs.
Although, the fully digital hearing aids are the most
expensive, they have the highest sound quality and clarity;
better programs and settings to suit every listening
environment and more channels to detect more frequencies.
This is achieved through digital signal processing.
In addition, check whether the hearing aid has directional
microphones - as this will help to emphasize sounds. Some
models have many different programs and settings, ask
yourself whether you will benefit from these. Some models
are automatic and adapt to the wearers preferences, whilst
others require a switch; some are compatible to mobile
phones.
To make an informed decision, always ask questions and find
out more about the hearing aids, or the company you will be
dealing with - be realistic! Finding the best and most
suitable model and type of hearing aid, at the best price
will be hard. So make sure you check whether they have a
money-back guarantee, trial periods, warranties, clauses,
any services that can help with payments, how to get your
hearing aid serviced or repaired.
In order for you to rate and choose the ideal hearing aid,
you will need to consider the severity of your hearing
loss, the costs, what aspects of the hearing aid are
important to you, whether it will meet your needs and what
you want to achieve out of the hearing aid.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to find any up-to-date
hearing aid ratings of quality and performance of various
brands, without retailers writing them with a vested
interest. This is because hearing loss is very individual
and one particular model cannot suit everyone's' needs.
Also, hearing aids are continually updated with newer and
faster technology, and prices are constantly changing due
to competition.
The success of any hearing aid will depend on the wearer's
knowledge and understanding of their hearing loss and
hearing aids; the expertise of the audiologist in choosing
the most appropriate hearing aid.
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Allan Tan is the author of
http://hearing-aid-ratings.blogspot.com/ and provides
helpful information on hearing loss, different brands and
types of hearing aids, hearing aid ratings, Bluetooth
compatible hearing aids, which you can read up in the
comfort of your home on his website. He and his partner set
up this informative site to help people understand more
about their hearing loss.
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